Family : Rosaceae
Class : Climbing Rose, Wild Rose
Text and pictures © Giuseppe Mazza
English translation by Peter Thompson
Wild rose native to the south of China, Taiwan, Laos, and Vietnam.
Introduced in Europe in 1759, and in the south of USA around 1780, where it rapidly naturalised, so much so that it became the floral emblem of Georgia.
It is known also as “Rose of the Cherokees”, from the name of an old Indian tribe. Its large, single white flowers, slightly perfumed, would recall the tears of the deported women, and the yellow stamens the gold stolen by the white men.
It is not suited to cold conditions, but when the climate is suitable it grows quickly, and can surpass 4 m in height.
Large fruits, 2.5 cm wide and 5 cm long, very ornamental and rich in vitamin C.
→ History of the rose : from the Wild Roses towards a perfect rose.
→ To appreciate the biodiversity of roses, please click here.